Sharp Introduces Wireless, Lossless Audio System

Sharp's new Wireless High Resolution Audio Player can transmit 7.1-channel, 24-bit, 96kHz audio without cables.

Sharp today revealed its upcoming home entertainment products, which continue to focus on big-screen HDTVs, with new ultra high definition (UHD, or 4K) screens coming this fall. But it also unveiled a new wireless audio device for high-end sound systems.

The Sharp SD-W1000H Wireless High Resolution Audio Player is what Sharp claims to be "the world's first high resolution audio solution." It uses the Wireless Speakers and Audio (WiSA) standard to transmit 7.1 channels of 24-bit, 96kHZ uncompressed audio to a receiving device without wires. It uses the 5.2-5.8GHz band, separate from Wi-Fi, to reduce interference when transmitting such dense data streams. It can also transmit high-definition video wirelessly over Intel's longer-established WiDi standard.

The SD-W1000H can read a wide variety of digital and physical media, including FLAC, WAV, MP3, and DSP file formats and CD, SACD, and Blu-ray optical discs. It can access files through USB hard drives and networked computers. Smartphone and tablet users can control the player with iOS and Android apps.

Sending uncompressed 7.1-channel audio wirelessly isn't cheap, though. The SD-W1000H will retail for $4,999 when it ships this September, and the accompanying VR-WR100U Wireless Bridge will retail for $999.

Sharp also announced its newest line of Aquos 4K HDTVs, the UD27 series. It features four HDMI 2.0 ports, HEVC (H.265) compatibility for streaming 4K content, and Netflix 4K support. Sharp also expects the line to get THX 4K certification, which is currently pending.

The UD27 line will be available in a 60-inch model for $2,999 and a 70-inch model for $4,499. Both models will ship this September.

Sharp's popular 650 series of 1080p HDTVs is also getting an upgrade. The new Sharp Aquos 600 line features Sharp's new SmartCentral 3.0 smart TV platform and a thinner, 0.4-inch bezel. It will also ship in September, with retail prices of $1,199 for the 60-inch model and $1,999 for the 70-inch model.

Will Greenwald has been covering consumer technology for more than six years, and has served on the editorial staffs of CNET.com, Sound & Vision, and Maximum PC. Since graduating from Syracuse University in 2005, Will has been an active technology journalist both online and in print. His work and analysis has been seen in GamePro, Tested.com, Geek.com, and several other publications. He currently covers consumer electronics in the PCMag.com labs, focusing on Blu-ray players, set-top boxes, and other home theater equipment.
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